Body protective device

ABSTRACT

A body protective device for protection from the waist area to the knees area from impact-based injuries, especially relating to sports activities, is provided by a composite body protector having a fabric outer garment and protective elements, in particular soft elements and semi-rigid and rigid elements, that are selectively provided in predetermined locations within the outer garment for protecting from the waist area to the knees area, including the coccyx and other proximal body parts from injuries related to impact during sports or athletic activities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This nonprovisional utility patent application claims the benefitof one or more prior filed copending, nonprovisional applications; areference to each such prior application is identified as therelationship of the applications and application number (seriescode/serial number): The present application is a Continuation-In-Partof application Ser. No. 10/095,234, which is incorporated herein byreference in its/their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] (1) Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to protective body wearand, more particularly, to a body protective device for protection fromimpact-based injuries, especially relating to sports and playgroundactivities.

[0004] (2) Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Trauma to muscle, ligament, tendon, and bone tissues can manifestin a variety of conditions.

[0006] Soft tissue injuries may progress to ossification, resulting inimpaired function. Ossification of muscle tissue, known as posttraumaticmyositis ossificans, is a condition characterized by heterotopic boneformation in the soft tissues following trauma. The process occurs mostoften in muscle, but may also occur in ligaments, tendons, fascia, andjoint capsules.

[0007] Bone trauma can result in a variety of sequelae—osteomyelitis,reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, osteonecrosis, osteoarthritis,intraosseous fracture (bone bruise), fracture and cancer.

[0008] Fractures are breaks in the bone or cartilage. In the pelvis,fractures commonly occur at the sacrum, coccyx, iliac wing, andacetabulum.

[0009] Fracture complications can be immediate, intermediate, anddelayed. Immediate complications include arterial injury, compartmentsyndrome, gas gangrene, fat embolism syndrome, and thromboembolism.Intermediate complications include osteomyelitis, reflex sympatheticdystrophy syndrome, posttraumatic osteolysis, myositis ossificans, andsynostosis. Delayed complications include osteonecrosis, degenerativejoint disease, osteoporosis, aneurysmal bone cyst, nonunion, andmalunion.

[0010] Osteonecrosis, also known as avascular necrosis is a focal boneinfarction, which may be secondary to trauma. The femoral head is acommon sites of posttraumatic avascular necrosis.

[0011] Degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, is anarthropathy with altered hyaline cartilage and characterized by loss ofarticular cartilage and hypertrophy of bone, producing osteophytes. Itis a form of arthritis that results in the destruction of the articularcartilage that line the joints and often is cause by trauma.

[0012] Type I osteoporosis (postmenopausal osteoporosis) occurs betweenages 51 and 75 yr. Type II osteoporosis or senile osteoporosis isassociated with normal processes of aging and it typically occurs inpatients >60 yr and is twice as common in women as in men. Type IIaffects trabecular and cortical bone, often resulting in fractures ofthe femoral neck, vertebrae, and pelvis. Sometime a minor fall on thehip or buttocks can cause osteoporotic bone to fracture.

[0013] Aneurysmal bone cyst, a type of malignant cancer, has beendocumented to follow a traumatic event. It is believed to occur via theconversion of a sub-periosteal hematoma into an expansile tumor.

[0014] Several types of joint injuries due to trauma are observed. Jointsubluxation is the abnormal movement of one of the bones that comprise ajoint. This is not a true dislocation, but a partial dislocation. Thesacroiliac joint and coccyx are prone to subluxation injuries. Diastasisis the traumatic separation of bones at a suture line or at a slightlymovable joint, a syndesmosis. Common locations for this to occur are thepubic symphysis and the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis. The chondraland osteochondral fractures are fractures through a joint surface.Epiphyseal fractures are fracture through a growth plate.

[0015] Tendon and ligament trauma can also result from impact injuries.Injuries can occur from a direct strike to the tendon or ligament, orcan result from a blow to the tendon or muscle that causes a reflexcontraction that ruptures or strains the tendon.

[0016] Regional osteoporosis as a sequel to trauma can be manifested asreflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome and disuse and immobilizationosteoporosis, e.g. from being in a cast or wheelchair.

[0017] The coccyx is the triangular bony structure located at the bottomof the vertebral column. It is composed of 3-5 bony segments held inplace by joints and ligaments. The Coccyx (os coccygis) is usuallyformed of four rudimentary vertebræ; the number may, however, beincreased to five or diminished to three. In each of the first threesegments may be traced a rudimentary body and articular and transverseprocesses; the last piece (sometimes the third) is a mere nodule ofbone. All the segments are destitute of pedicles, laminæ, and spinousprocesses. The first is the largest; it resembles the lowest sacralvertebra, and often exists as a separate piece; the last three diminishin size from above downward, and are usually fused with one another.

[0018] The coccyx is ossified from four centers, one for each segment.The ossific nuclei make their appearance in the following order: in thefirst segment between the first and fourth years; in the second betweenthe fifth and tenth years; in the third between the tenth and fifteenthyears; in the fourth between the fourteenth and twentieth years. As ageadvances, the segments unite with one another, the union between thefirst and second segments being frequently delayed until after the ageof twenty-five or thirty. At a late period of life, especially infemales, the coccyx often fuses with the sacrum.

[0019] A coccyx injury results in pain and discomfort in the tailbonearea (the condition is called coccydynia). These injuries may result ina bruise, dislocation, or fracture (break) of the coccyx. Although theymay be slow to heal, the majority of coccyx injuries can be managed withcautious treatment. Anecdotal evidence also supports a causalrelationship between injuries to the coccyx and multiple sclerosis (MS).Chiropractors have observed this relationship in many patients over manyyears. Dr. LaShoto, the inventor of the present invention, has treated apolice officer who slipped and fell and fractured his coccyx; severalyears later, he developed MS. He was examined by one of the top MSspecialists at Massachusetts General Hospital and a neurologist agreedthat the patient's old coccyx injury probably caused his MS condition.The neurologist indicated that he, too has noticed a causal connectionfor many years. MS is very prevalent in the Eskimo populations and inthe northern lattitudes, which makes sense, because of all the coccyxinjuries related to slipping and falling on snow and ice.

[0020] The majority of coccyx injuries occur in women, because thefemale pelvis is broader and the coccyx is more exposed. If the injuryoccurs after the coccyx has fused to the sacrum, the sacrum can beextensively injured, also.

[0021] Thus, there is a need for a protective device for providingprotection from injuries to the coccyx of persons engaging in athleticactivity, more specifically, to the sacrum of women playing sports.

[0022] Typically, it is known to provide protective equipment forplayers in sports activities, especially where the sport involved highimpact or the risk of injury from projectiles or bodily contact. Priorart protective devices to prevent injury to the coccyx region are alsoknown.

[0023] Prior art protective equipment commonly employs a hard shell thatis strapped to the body, e.g., soccer shin guards, helmets, and thelike, or a soft, padded covering that is worn as a garment overclothing, e.g., baseball catcher's padded vests, knee and elbow pads forvolleyball and basketball, and the like. However, the protectiveequipment of prior art does not provide adequate protection from highimpact, in particular from projectiles that may incidentally andinadvertently strike a body portion that is not typically covered withadequate protective equipment, e.g., the chest and heart region, thethroat and neck region, etc., depending upon the sport. Also, theprotective equipment is often bulky, uncomfortable, and does notadequately disperse energy.

[0024] Many prior art devices for protecting sports players from impactsdo not provide adequate protection for vital organs from blunt traumaforces, in particular from projectiles as in baseball, softball,lacrosse, hockey, and the like. Vital organs like the like reproductiveorgans and tissues surrounding the waist area to the knee area and othercritical regions are particularly vulnerable to injuries due to impactsfrom such forces. Data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commissionand the National Injury Information Clearinghouse from 1998 reportedthat injuries requiring hospital emergency room visits just frombaseball included estimated totals of more than 4,200 upper trunkinjuries, 4,600 lower trunk injuries, 1,300 neck injuries, 8,200 mouthinjuries, 8,200 shoulder injuries, 17,900 head injuries, 42,000 faceinjuries, and 2,600 eye injuries; similarly, from the same report for2000, there were reported more than a total of 182,000 injuries,including 5,100 upper trunk injuries, 5,200 lower trunk injuries, 8,800shoulder injuries, 18,100 head injuries, 39,000 face injuries, and 3,400eye injuries. Furthermore, in 2000, basketball injuries totaled morethan 600,000; boxing, more than 13,000; football, nearly 400,000,hockey, ice hockey, street hockey and field hockey, more than 69,400;soccer, more than 185,000; lacrosse, more than 7,400; sledding, morethan 38,000; and gas, air or spring-operated guns, as in paint ball,more than 17,000. Overall, sporting-related injuries that requiredhospital emergency room visits were estimated to be more than 3.4million in 2000, according to these statistics. These figures do notinclude visits to private physicians or other medical care providers.

[0025] By way of example, applicant's son, James Patrick LaShoto, wasstruck by a foul ball in the on-deck circle during a little leaguebaseball game for 8-10 year olds in Waltham, Mass. in May 2001, whichresulted in a 5-inch diameter bruise on his stomach for more than onemonth. He had little time, if any, to react in order to move out of theway or protect himself from being hit. Also, he was playing second basein baseball in June 2001 when he was struck by a baseball in the face,in particular the eye region. Fortunately, he was wearing virtuallyshatterproof polycarbonate sunglasses for protection, which likelyprevented a permanent injury or blindness in his right eye. Thus, by wayof real-life case-in-point, the use of protective devices for sportsparticipants, especially for children, is valuable.

[0026] However, most effective impact-resistant protective devices arecumbersome, heavy, or hot and may restrict movement, which maydiscourage sports players or participants from wearing adequateprotection to prevent injury in the event of projectile or other directimpact.

[0027] Thus, there remains a need for a protective device that permitsfreedom of movement and breathability during athletic activity whileoffering protection from injurious impact from projectiles or directimpacts to the region from the waist area to the knees area, includingthe coccyx area of the user of the body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The present invention is directed to a body protective device forproviding protection to the region from the waist area to the kneesarea, including the coccyx area of the user from impact-based injuries,especially relating to sports activities.

[0029] The present invention is directed to a protective device having asubstantially flexible outer garment enclosing soft and rigid compositeelements or shields that are premolded or custom-fit to conform to theshape of the user's region from the waist area to the knees area,including the coccyx area of the user.

[0030] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a protectivedevice for the region from the waist area to the knees area, includingthe coccyx area of the user for players of sports including afabric-based covering encasing composite elements and that is premoldedor custom-fit to the user, is lightweight, and that presents a lowprofile so as not to inhibit freedom of movement of the user duringathletic activities.

[0031] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide aprotective device for the coccyx for players of sports including afabric-based covering that includes selectively removable compositeelements and that is premolded or custom-fit to the user, islightweight, and that presents a low profile so as not to inhibitfreedom of movement of the user during athletic activities.

[0032] Basically, one advantage of the invention is that by having padsin close intimate contact with the region from the waist area to theknees area, including the coccyx area of the user, in particular, fromthe compression of the garment, wherein the better fit provides improvedimpact dispersion of blunt trauma forces. This occurs because more ofthe protective pad is in contact with the body reducing point loadingand allowing superior impact dispersion. When compared to traditionalpad systems that are not adequately contoured to the body area, thecompression of the pads in the region from the waist area to the kneesarea, including the coccyx area of the user, provides a superior “fit”of the pads that equals superior protection to the user.

[0033] These and other aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the followingdescription of the preferred embodiment when considered with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034]FIG. 1 is a back view of a protective device constructed accordingto the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 2 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1.

[0036]FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0037] In the following description, like reference characters designatelike or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in thefollowing description, it is to be understood that such terms as“forward,” “rearward,” “front,” “back,” “right,” “left,” “upwardly,”“downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to beconstrued as limiting terms.

[0038] Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations arefor the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the inventionand are not intended to limit the invention thereto. The presentinvention provides for a protective device that is formed by asubstantially flexible outer garment and protective elements, inparticular soft elements and rigid elements, that are provided withinthe outer garment for protecting the coccyx from injury related toimpact during sports or athletic activities. The elements combine toform an overall composite shield, which is collectively provided by theeither rigid elements or soft elements, depending upon the level ofimpact resistant and/or energy absorption desired. The elements areinsertable into the garment either during manufacturing, or by the userprior to use of the protective device. In a preferred embodiment, theelements are selectively removable, and may be inserted into pocketswithin the garment or attached by fasteners, e.g., hook and loop typefasteners, snaps, buttons, hooks and eyes, and the like. In anotherembodiment, the elements are fixed, in particular to ensure that thebest and most complete protection possible from all elements is providedand cannot be tampered with.

[0039] The outer garment may be variably sized to cover the coccyx andmore or less of the region of the body proximal to the coccyx of theuser.

[0040] One embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIG. 1,includes a protective device designed, constructed and configured toprovide protection for the region from the waist area to the knees area,including the coccyx area of the user, the device generally referenced10, including a fabric outer garment 12 and a protective element 14, inparticular a composite element with soft elements and rigid elements,that is selectively provided in a predetermined location within theouter garment and housed within a pocket 15 in the garment forprotecting vital organs and other body parts from injury related toimpact during sports or athletic activities. A side view of anembodiment is shown in FIG. 2, wherein protective elements extend overthe front thigh region 18. As show in FIG. 3, Cup-shaped elements 24functioning as genital protection may be incorporated into the garmentin the genital region. Connective webbing 20 is provided around thesides and genital areas to provide for increased freedom of movement andbreathability, while still providing protection over the criticalregions from the waist area to the knees area, including the coccyx areaof the user.

[0041] The semi-rigid and rigid elements are composite elements formedof fabric elements, in particular woven, knitted, or braided fabrics,either in single or multiple layers are used; preferably, 3D engineeredfiber preforms or fabrics are used, which are formed by a 3Dfabric-forming method selected from the group consisting of 3D weaving,3D braiding, 3D circular weaving, and multiaxial weaving. Alternatively,plastic, injection-molded pieces are used for the semi-rigid and rigidelements in another embodiment according to the present invention. Inparticular, true 3D weaving involving three orthogonal, non-interlacingyam systems are preferred; such true 3D woven constructions are formedby the methods set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,252 issued Feb. 4, 1992to Mohamed, et al. for METHOD OF FORMING VARIABLE CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPEDTHREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRICS which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,760 issued Nov. 14, 1995 toMohamed, et al. for MULTILAYER THREE-DIMENSIONAL FABRIC AND METHOD FORPRODUCING is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Elements to protect different organs or regions may be formed fromdifferent fabric-forming methods, such that the overall protectivedevice may include a variety of element types or homogeneous elements.These composite elements are preferably formed of pre-shaped componentsincluding shells or sheaths of 3D engineered materials that are infusedwith resin, e.g., vinylester, for providing additional stiffness,strength, and/or impact-resistance.

[0042] The outer garment may be fabricated using a close-fittingmaterial, preferably one Is with at least some memory so that the user'sgeneral body shape is maintained during use and is retained duringsubsequent uses. Also, breathable material is preferred so that the useris not uncomfortable due to extra heat induced by the garment duringwear and activity. It is preferred that the material be cleanable, morepreferably washable, since use during athletic activity would likelysoil the garment. Additionally, a protective, soil-resistant coating maybe applied. The outer garment preferably includes materials havingbreathability, such as COOLMAX fabric, which is commercially availableby DuPont. Another commercially available breathable polypropylenefabric that is tight fitting is commercially available by Under Armor atwww.underarmor.com. Other similar or equivalent materials are consideredto be applicable and within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] In one embodiment according to the present invention, the garmentis made of a knitted spacer material for providing a predetermined bulkwhile maintaining a lightweight, stretchable fabric. Additional stretchmay be provided, as needed, by the introduction of SPANDEX material intothe spacer material.

[0044] The elements may be pre-shaped or pre-molded. The elementsinclude both premolded foam padded elements and rigid, compositeelements. The premolded foam padded elements offer soft protection forthe coccyx in low-impact sport activities. whereas during high-impactactivities, rigid, composite elements that are molded into the garmentcan be used in order to offer close and comfortable fitting of theprotective device.

[0045] Also, these composite elements may be custom-fitted and moldedinto the garment; alternatively, these may be removable, e.g., forwashing or cleaning the garment. Additionally, these elements may beremovable in order to provide the user with selective protection,depending upon the level of protection and risk associated with theparticular sports activity. A custom-fitted version is considered to bethe best mode of the invention, in order to provide the optimal level ofprotection and freedom of movement or overall performance of theprotective device according to the present invention. In one embodiment,where a custom-fitted garment includes 3D engineered fiber structuresthat are preformed to a near net shape element or formed, cut, andapproximately shaped to a predetermined sized element, depending uponthe size of the region from the waist area to the knees area, includingthe coccyx area of the user to be protected, the element is treated witha resin that is either moisture- or temperature-curable, such thatexposure to either moisture or higher than body temperature,respectively, provides for activation and setting of the resin in orderto form a rigid composite element. In an alternative embodiment, theouter garment can be purchased to fit an approximate the region from thewaist area to the knees area, including the coccyx area of the user,including the coccyx area size and shape, e.g., extra-small, small,medium, large, extra-large, etc. and may be provided for either male orfemale body types or for unisex shaping. In particular, because women'spelvises are wider and the coccyx is more exposed, the padding may beshaped and configured to be wider. For young children, the pad may beunisex, given that there is little sexual dimorphism in pelvic anatomyuntil puberty. The padded elements and rigid composite elements areprovided separately such that they may be selectively inserted andremovable from the outer garment. In a preferred embodiment, pockets areprovided for maintaining the elements in an approximate position toprotect the body parts and organs; in another embodiment, attachmentmeans or fasteners such as hook and loop type fasteners, e.g., VELCRO,are provided to ensure releasable attachment with the garment duringuse.

[0046] The preforms used for the composite elements are manufacturedfrom engineered fibers, in particular synthetic fibers, and includingbut not limited to KEVLAR, fiberglass, carbon, nylon, and combinationsthereof. The padded elements are preferably manufactured from aresilient material, such as foams, including molded dual density foam,polyurethane, neoprene, and EVA foams. Preferably, the foam is selectedfrom EVA or polyurethane foams, or foam alternatives, or other comfortliner materials.

[0047] Foam alternatives may include materials such as SKYDEX padding,which is commercially provided by Skydex, as set forth in the websitewww.skydex.com, and which provides for improved durability for washingand cleaning when compared with many foams, as well as improvedperformance and impact resistance, and it maintains its energy absorbingand/or energy dispersing qualities, while not absorbing moisture.Perforations in such foams are desirable in order to ensure somebreathability of the overall protective wear when using soft paddedelements. Another breathable foam or foam alternative material that maybe used with the present invention is SPACENET, which is commerciallyprovided by Spacenet, as listed in the websitewww.spacenetmaterials.com.

[0048] The overall protective device, including the outer garment andthe protective elements, both soft padded and rigid composite elements,are preferably custom-fitted to the user, are lightweight, and present alow profile so as not to inhibit freedom of movement of the user duringathletic activities. As set forth hereinabove, the elements may beinitially flexible with later hardening after conforming substantiallyto the user's body shape and size, or the elements may be partiallyflexible and partially rigid, thereby forming an articulated protectivedevice when connected with the outer garment. These elements may bejoined by the outer garment itself, or they may alternatively oradditionally be joined by webbing or other connective means, includingjointing, stretch webbing, hook and loop type fasteners such as VELCROfasteners, or they may be overlapped or hinged, preferably by syntheticor plastic connectors. The joined or jointed elements act as discreteprotective components and can move relative to each other, therebyproviding freedom of movement required for sports activities whileproviding protection for the coccyx area covered with the device and itselements. Furthermore, the elements may be disc-shaped components orsubstantially body part-shaped components in order to provide theoptimal coverage and moveability for the user.

[0049] Overall, one advantage of the invention is that by having a padin close intimate contact with the body, in particular, from thecompression of the garment, wherein the better fit provides improvedimpact dispersion of blunt trauma forces. This occurs because more ofthe protective pad is in contact with the body reducing point loadingand allowing impact dispersion. When compared to traditional pad systemsthat simply “hang” from the body, the compression garment provides asuperior “fit” of the pads equals superior protection.

[0050] A significant advantage is provided by the use ofthree-dimensional (3D) materials such as those supplied commercially by3TEX, Inc. of Cary, N.C., in that the materials provide a decrease ofabout 20% in the force transferred to the body, with approximately a 20%lighter weight compared to traditional materials, e.g., ABS plasticlisted in Table 1 below. Test results as measured by an independent droptest device, which simulates impacts and records energy dispersingproperties of the materials tested, show the following data for thepresent invention when compared with the prior art. The following testresults of Table 1 illustrate the advantages of the use of the 3Dmaterials when compared with traditional materials used in otherprotective device applications: TABLE 1 ABS plastic v. 3TEX CompositeImpact Research Study Anvil Carbon/ FG/Poly E-Glass Material ABS KeviarRed/Blue Red Hybrid 28 Hybrid 29 Location Impact Date Aug. 7, 2001 Aug.7, 2001 Aug. 7, 2001 Aug. 7, 2001 Sept. 18, 2001 Sept. 18, 2001 Flat 0Front 256.4 242.8 251.9 249.6 235.0 247.3 45 Front Right 90 Right 135Rear Right 180 Rear 234.6 255.5 238.2 240.0 222.7 217.7 225 Rear Left270 Left 315 Front Left Flat 0 Front 242.8 238.7 45 Front Right 90 Right135 Rear Right 180 Rear 213.2 206.8 225 Rear Left 270 Left 315 FrontLeft Hemi 0 Front 45 Front Right 90 Right 161.2 160.8 168.5 157.6 143.5150.3 135 Rear Right 180 Rear 225 Rear Left 270 Left 315 Front Left Hemi0 Front 45 Front Right 90 Right 146.2 144.4 135 Rear Right 180 Rear 225Rear Left 270 Left 315 Front Left Edge 0 Front 45 Front Right 90 Right135 Right 180 Rear 225 Rear Left 270 Left 139.4 130.3 136.6 134.4 136.6125.7 315 Front Left Edge 0 Front 45 Front Right 90 Right 135 Rear Right180 Rear 225 Rear Left 270 Left 130.3 114.3 315 Front Left

[0051] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to thoseskilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description andresearch results. By way of example, substitute three-dimensional (3D)materials, including other resin-infused materials may be used; otherenergy dispersing foams in combination with the 3D resin infusedmaterials may be used; and other breathable and/or tight fittinggarments may be used without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

[0052] A related application of the present invention include specialneeds children, e.g., hemopheliacs, physical handicaps, and the like,and elderly persons or persons who may be more susceptible to injuriesdue to medications, where injuries due to falls can be serious, and evenlife-threatening. Other applications for the present invention includeprotective wear for law enforcement, security officers, and militarypersonnel from injuries.

[0053] All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein forthe sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within thescope of the following claims.

We claim:
 1. A protective device for providing protection from injuriesto the coccyx of a user comprising: a substantially flexible outergarment further including protective elements that are provided inpredetermined locations within the outer garment to provideimpact-resistance from objects, thereby providing protection from thewaist area to the knee area, including the coccyx and other body partsfrom injuries related to impact during sports or athletic activities. 2.The device according to claim 1, wherein the protective elements aresoft elements and rigid elements.
 3. The device according to claim 1,wherein the elements are selectively removable.
 4. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the elements are fixedly attached to the outergarment.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elements aresecured in pockets in the outer garment.
 6. The device according toclaim 2, wherein the rigid elements are formed of three-dimensionalengineered materials.
 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein thethree-dimensional engineered materials are 3D woven fabrics.
 8. Thedevice according to claim 7, wherein the 3D woven fabrics are furthertreated with a resinous substance to create rigid composite elements.10. The device according to claim 2, wherein the soft elements areformed of foam-like material.
 11. The device according to claim 10,wherein the foam-like material is a foam, selected from the groupconsisting of molded dual density foam, polyurethane, neoprene, and EVAfoams.
 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elements arepreformed to a similar shape as the body parts for which they provideprotection.
 13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the elementsare custom-fit to the individual who will be wearing the device.
 14. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the elements are custom-molded. 15.The device according to claim 1, wherein the substantially flexibleouter garment is attachable to/ covering the region from the waist areato the knees area, including the coccyx area of the user.
 16. The deviceaccording to claim 15, wherein the outer garment is attachable toequipment proximal to the region from the waist area to the knees area,including the coccyx area of the user.
 17. The device according to claim1, wherein the device is particularly shaped and configured to provideprotection to women.